Sunset cruises, interactive art installations, beer gardens and… yacht parties? Spring has sprung and San Diego’s largest music festival was in full swing last weekend! From May 10-12th, Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival made its third appearance and exceeded beyond what I thought was possible.
Located right on the waterfront, the festival grounds lay in the heart of Seaport Village, a trendy waterside complex featuring live entertainment and touristy shops that contributed to the newest edition of my hoodie collection. With two main stages, two supporting stages, and a boat stage, all meticulously spaced out to cater to different sounds and fans, Wonderfront catered to a wide range of tastes and preferences. From families with children to groups of friends and solo music enthusiasts, everyone could find their own unique experience amidst the festivities.
The only caveat, like most festivals, was the prices. Everywhere I looked, vendors were lined with bars after bars, a single drink more expensive than any food item. As a seasoned festival go-er and certified bargain enthusiast, my concert buddy Rio found us a loophole: a Mexican food pop-up stand outside the festival entrance offering affordable $8 quesadillas, $15 margarita pitchers and live entertainment, becoming our go-to pit stop between meals.
The atmosphere of the festival allowed for people to not only enjoy the live entertainment but also browse through unique items at the thrifting booths, witness artists create pieces in real-time and engage in friendly competition with corn-hole games. Moving on to the main event: from hip hop to country to rock, the festival showcased a mix of established and emerging artists. Let’s dive into my top favorite sets from Wonderfront 2024.
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The Deep Eddy Ocean Stage
T-Pain– Isabella Appell
Shoulder to shoulder, motionless amidst an abundance of people in the photo pit, with the scent of sweat and alcohol pervading the air- all just to catch a glimpse of a singular artist. Would I do this for most musicians? Probably not. But for T-Pain? Absolutely.
I’ll admit, my memory of T-Pain’s music barely extends beyond 2014, back when I was hardly old enough to grasp the meaning behind his lyrics. Now, a decade later, with only “Buy U a Drank” and “Booty Wurk” on my playlist, I find myself in the front row, waiting eagerly for an artist whose musical style couldn’t be further from my usual preference. Yet, I must confess, witnessing an almost 40-year-old man try to grind on stage was unexpectedly one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had.
Despite the sound alternating between projecting out of the speakers and reverberating through my chest, T-Pain’s voice was unmistakable. Nostalgic like no other, it’s incredibly rare for an artist to maintain such enduring appeal over more than 15 years and still thrive in concert. I deeply admired T-Pain’s knack for understanding his audience and delivering precisely what we craved, which apparently at 2 in the afternoon were the lyrics “Left cheek, right cheek, show off, boom”.
The Adventure Hornblower (Ocean) Stage
Kid Bloom– Isabella Appell
Being invited onto a boat is a rare occurrence in itself. When you add the rarity of hearing one of your favorite artists live, a fully stocked bar, and a front-row seat to the mix, it’s easy to see why the Adventure Hornblower Stage became the highlight of the festival for me.
The intimate setting of the top floor, accommodating only around 25-30 people at a time, created a special atmosphere.the crowd was respectful of each other and the band, and a sense of connection allowed us to let down our emotional and physical boundaries and fully immerse ourselves in the set.
If you’ve ever experienced a family cruise, you may recall the obligatory visit to the kid’s club, a mix of excitement and apprehension as you try to connect with other people your age. Now, imagine this scenario infused with cigarettes, beers and an abundance of crop tops, and you’ll find yourself standing besides me at the top of the boat, eagerly awaiting the main event – Kid Bloom.
If I were to designate an artist as the embodiment of San Diego’s sound, it would undoubtedly be Kid Bloom. Their music, characterized by its smooth and breezy vibe, provided the perfect midday soundtrack. The band itself exuded a similar energy, effortlessly blending into the laid-back atmosphere. Despite grappling with technical glitches in the sound system, the band members engaged with the audience on a personal level, even hitting a fan’s vape – an interaction deemed the highest of compliments. Their playful yet professional demeanor shone through as they interacted with fans, seamlessly combining lightheartedness with skill, culminating in what I dare say was the best rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” I’ve ever heard.
The White Claw Park Stage
Dayglow – Isabella Appell
As the darkness loomed over the park grounds, all I was looking for was a little bit of sunshine. Little did I know, all I had to do was go over the hill to The White Claw stage to find some.
Dayglow’s music has always seemed like the epitome of joy to me. Now seeing them live, I can attest that their music truly is just as infectious as it sounds on the radio. As someone whose energy lasts around five hours max, I was ready to call it a night at around 8 pm. The White Claw stage was conveniently located right next to the exit, and it would take one of my all-time favorite artists to keep me from taking the closest Uber and hopping right into bed.
It was not until I heard the familiar words “can I call you tonight?” that it felt like I had chugged three of the free Celsius they were handing out earlier that day, and I was in the center of the crowd before I knew it. Dayglow, exuding effortless coolness, took the stage and turned it into their own backyard performance. With only their voices, their guitars and a few strobe lights on the stage, you could tell it was their pure talent that originally drew listeners to their music and would keep them coming back for more.
The Marina Stage
Briston Maroney– Isabella Appell
Many artists churn out a hit song, ride the wave of fame and become trapped in a constant cycle of producing repetitive music. Briston Maroney, however, takes his newfound fame and channels it back to his fans with utmost intensity.
Being in San Diego, I anticipated encountering plenty of men in trucker hats, sporting long hair and vibrant pops of color. What I didn’t anticipate was seeing these very men take the stage the moment I entered day 2 of the festival. Briston Maroney and his band are a walking contradiction, exuding both chaotic energy and serene composure as they deliver heartfelt music while simultaneously jumping around onstage.
With a touch of awkward charm and a raw vulnerability, the songwriter put his true self out on the stage and San Diego loved every minute of it.
Kaytranada- Kanchan Raju
There are moments in life that you only recognize as irreplicable when you think back to them later on. But even rarer are those moments when right in that fleeting second, you look around, absorb your surroundings, take a breath, and think: “I’m going to remember this forever.”
At around 8:50 PM on Friday, May 10, 2024, I experienced the latter. The lights of the Marina Stage went dim, and the restlessness in the air was tangible as the crowd hurriedly brought their conversations to a close. I turned my gaze to my left to admire the glistening skyline of San Diego’s Seaport Village, the city lights twinkling to the rhythm of the summer breeze. Not much else could have compared to this moment– experiencing an all-time favorite artist live, with my best friends by my side, in a city I loved so dearly.
And with a demeanor that was effortlessly suave, KAYTRANADA took the stage. The playful maraca rhythm and organ-esque melody of “VIVID DREAMS” began faintly, and goosebumps raced down my arms. My eyes were glued, for I knew I was about to witness greatness.
I had never seen a DJ of KAYTRANADA’s caliber live before, and I was curious how he would engage the audience; as much as I love his music I wasn’t sure how exciting it would be to watch him press buttons on a DJ board. But how mistaken I was – his charm and subtle swagger commanded the audience within seconds. At every beat drop he kicked off a dance freestyle incorporating social party hip hop grooves, the fluidity of his movement blending with the vibrations of his sound in a heavenly synergy. Learning that he creates his music with a dancer’s intuition amplified my love for it tenfold. As a hip hop dancer myself, his songs never fail to bring this magical aura that compels my body to take over and leave my mind behind.
I, of course, expected to be impressed by KAYTRANADA as an artist, but what really elevated his set for me was its immaculate stage production. Every song was a meticulously crafted audio-visual experience, with each backdrop seeming to harness the precise frequencies of the song’s bassline and synths. KAYTRANADA’s discography ranges from electronic funk to deep house to contemporary R&B, and the stage production truly encapsulated the distinct vibe of each genre– with vibrant kaleidoscopic imagery for “YOU’RE THE ONE” in contrast to trance-like lighting patterns for “Intimidated.”
Every concert I go to comprises at least one heartwarming interaction with a stranger, a fleeting exchange of energy where you realize how special it is to be living this experience amongst a whole crowd who shares that excitement. Mine was during “Alright” by Victoria Monét (produced by KAYTRANADA), when I locked eyes with the girl in front of me and with the utmost conviction we hollered the opening lyric: “He gave me some d*ck in bed so he think his d*ck is embedded.” A poetic moment if I’ve ever experienced one.
All in all, KAYTRANADA’s set left me yearning for more, and that to me is the testament of a true performer. I’m grateful for a night that will be forever etched in my memory– a culmination of music, ambiance, and community and a reminder of the magic that only live performance can create.
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Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival turned my particularly rough week into a memory I would coin the best weekend of my life. As someone who typically shies away from the bustling crowds of large concerts, I was intrigued to witness how the laid-back San Diego spirit would mesh with the festival atmosphere. Despite boasting top-name performers, from Weezer to Dominic Fike, the grounds maintained a reassuring sense of safety for me throughout. Whether you’re a local or just seeking a weekend escape, Wonderfront is the perfect place for you.
